Light rainshells?

[homerjay]

Looking for a light rainshells for backpacking, camping, maybe spring ski touring. Lighter the better, also don't want to spend a fortune. Waterproof/breathable. What are you using and why?

Looking at

Marmot Precip
Patagucci Rainshadow
MH Epic

do I need Goretex or will proprietary stuff do the trick?

[Viva]

The Precip is pretty nice and it's very cheap when on sale. Mine lasted for a few years before delamming around the seams became problematic. The fit was okay, too.

[cj001f]

The gore stuffs better than the alternatives (H2NO, Precip, Conduit) in my experience, especially if it's really raining/snowing (when you want it to work). Outdoor Research has a decent paclite shell for $200, you can find the lightweight Arc'teryx shell for $250.

[Camel Toad]

vote for precip. picked one up for $30 to use for field work, i like it and use it for backcountry skiing too (photog friendly red).

[soul_skier]

mountain hardware epic off SAC for like 50 bucks, literally 100% waterproof, and packs down to softball size while weighing next to nothing. I keep it with me in my backpack when i'm mountain biking, i hardly even notice it's there!

[marshalolson]

precip is not very breathable. sucks for hiking with weight - you get super sweaty. i WAY prefer paclite or whaever non-gore 2.5 layer there is. way lighter, more packable, more breatable, and very similarly waterproof.

[Squatch]

i recommend the old 3-holes-in-a-garbage-bag. So cheap you can practically throw them away!

[Meathelmet]

Personally i would go with paclite.

Have tried out the hyvents,conduit and precip. And in they suck in my opinion.
Either they let the water in or wont let properly.
But they are almost half or quarter of price,though.

But if you need to stay dry=paclite.

[stuckathuntermtn]

i recommend the old 3-holes-in-a-garbage-bag. So cheap you can practically throw them away!

don't forget the small garbage bags around the sneakers!!!

[marshalolson]

literally 100% waterproof

PS: nothing is 100% waterproof, considering THERE ARE HUGE FUCKING HOLES FOR YOUR HANDS, HEAD, ZIPPER, and WAIST

[Shredhead]

I have the Precip and the REI clone. I like the clone just as much or better for <$100.

[ski_rick]

Another vote for the MH Epic. I've had mine 4 years and I love it. It's gotten my through some pretty crappy weather in the Swiss Alps and on Mt Shasta. It's still going strong, it'll be with me on Shasta this weekend.

[alpinepronghorn]

Patagonia specter, hands down. Lighter, more packable, and still all the waterproof/breathability you want. Bomber enough to wear in winter but made for summer. Little pricey, though... but you get what you pay for.

[Conundrum]

Patagonia specter, hands down. Lighter, more packable, and still all the waterproof/breathability you want. Bomber enough to wear in winter but made for summer. Little pricey, though... but you get what you pay for.

I have the Houdini which is not the full on waterproof version and you can find them on sale for approx $50. The hangup is it's a softshell so it's only water resistant but it's only 4 oz and has kept me dry in a sprinkle but I doubt it would do much in a real rain storm. If you need the waterproofness, definitely check out the Specter.

[cj001f]

If you need the waterproofness, definitely check out the Specter.

I had the prior model. Not so great on either the waterproof or breathable front, but cut nicely. Except the zippers on the front pockets constantly caught on the pocket mesh

[Conundrum]

I had the prior model. Not so great on either the waterproof or breathable front, but cut nicely. Except the zippers on the front pockets constantly caught on the pocket mesh

Bummer, I really like the cut on the Houdini and was hoping the Specter would be the same only waterproof

[Sphinx]

Bummer, I really like the cut on the Houdini and was hoping the Specter would be the same only waterproof

Mine is waterproof. And breathable.

Performance as good as my heavier, winter Pata coat.

People who say '100% waterproof' have never hiked in the rain for more than a few minutes.

If it's raining, you will get wet. Period.

[Cirquerider]

That SAC deal on the MH Epic was unreal. Great jacket. Waterproof (in spite of Marshalolson's objections), lightweight, excellent venting, good big pockets, and packs small.

[Arty50]

I really like my Sierra Designs rainshell. I can't remember which model I have, but it's a couple of years old anyway. Great price too. Highly recommended.

www.sierradesigns.com

[marshalolson]

That SAC deal on the MH Epic was unreal. Great jacket. Waterproof (in spite of Marshalolson's objections), lightweight, excellent venting, good big pockets, and packs small.

FYI: all "waterproof" means is the piece has taped or welded seams. that is all. all rain gear is "waterproof", as is a triple layer shell, especially anything treated with a DWR.

i have yet to see anyone rocking a gasket on thier precip shell, so the jacket is not truly 100% waterproof, considering more water gets into a jacket through the holes and zippers than it does be seeping through the fabric or seems.

furthermore, raingear has so much less breathability than a piece of paclite, you get far more condensation with double layer rain gear than any possible seepage from paclite.

i would personally only use full on raingear as a suit, in the rainforrest, otherwise there are better options that are lighter and just as water repelent.




HOMER- buy the lowe alpine paclite shell (dunno the model) sick price, retared light, super waterproof and super breathable. also there is a 2xl - i think you are kinda big? i'm 6'2'' 215 and it fits like $$$.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/pro...x?baseno=44561

[Dug]

For value, any of the Marmot Precip Plus stuff is really awesome.

[XtrPickels]

precip is not very breathable. sucks for hiking with weight - you get super sweaty. i WAY prefer paclite or whaever non-gore 2.5 layer there is. way lighter, more packable, more breatable, and very similarly waterproof.

My thoughts exactly. I have an arcteryx paclite that i got after my precip delam'd... 100 times better.

If I did it again, I might check out the cloudveil drizzle jacket though...
$110 at cloudveil.com for a l/xl right now... http://www.cloudveil.com/product/S5-3275/

[marshalolson]

^^^ thats a pretty sweet jacket at a killer price.

2.5 layer = non-gore branded paclite clone. same stuff.

[Alpinist]

I can recommend the Patagonia Microburst. Light, very packable, very waterproof, bombproof construction for a jacket this light. It's one of the 2.5 layer H2No (non gore) products commented before.

[cinnepa]

i'm 6'2'' 215 and it fits like $$$.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/pro...x?baseno=44561

good arm length? i'm also 6'2"....seems like many shells come up short on the arm length for me, off hand i remember the MH epic was wayyyy short for me.